Device for packaging and applying a substance, the device including a wiper member

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a device ( 1 ) for packaging and applying a substance (P), in particular a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising:  
     a receptacle ( 2 ) for containing the substance (P);  
     an applicator ( 4 ) including an applicator element ( 7 ); and  
     a wiper member ( 3 ) for wiping the applicator element ( 7 ),  
     the device being characterized by the fact that the wiper member ( 3 ) includes a longitudinally split annular portion ( 12 ) having a wall including at least one slot extending to a free end ( 3   a ) of the wiper member ( 3 ), the slot passing through the entire thickness of said wall, said split portion ( 12 ) presenting, in a plane where its inside cross-section is at a minimum, an outside cross-section that is greater than the greatest cross-section of the applicator element ( 7 ), the split portion ( 12 ) deforming radially outwards when the applicator element passes through.

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for packaging and applying substances, in particular cosmetics, including care products, each device including a wiper member.

[0002] French patent application FR 2 562 773 discloses a makeup set, in particular for the eyelashes, that comprises a receptacle provided with a wiper member that defines a threaded neck suitable for having screwed thereon a stopper that includes an applicator.

[0003] European patent EP 0 728 426 B1 describes a device for dispensing a liquid or semisolid substance, the device including a wiper member which is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots made through a central portion shaped like the inside of a torus.

[0004] European patent EP 0 627 182 B1 discloses a kit for applying a fluid, in particular a cosmetic, the kit including a wiper member having two stages constituted by two parts, one of which is covered in fibers by flocking.

[0005] European patent EP 0 824 329 B1 describes a wiper member comprising a split block of foam.

[0006] There exists a need to further improve devices for packaging and applying substances, and in particular to benefit from a wiper member capable of wiping a wide variety of applicator elements in satisfactory manner, in particular applicator elements of cross-section that is not circular.

[0007] There also exists a need to have a wiper member that can easily be mounted on the corresponding receptacle.

[0008] In one of its aspects, the invention thus provides a device for packaging and applying a substance, in particular a cosmetic or care product, the device comprising:

[0009] a receptacle for containing the substance;

[0010] an applicator including an applicator element; and

[0011] a wiper member for wiping the applicator element,

[0012] the device being characterizable by the fact that the wiper member includes a longitudinally split annular portion having a wall including at least one slot extending to a free end of the wiper member, the slot passing through the entire thickness of said wall, said split portion presenting, in a plane where its inside cross-section is at a minimum, an outside cross-section that is greater than the greatest cross-section of the applicator element, the split portion deforming radially outwards when the applicator element passes through.

[0013] By means of the invention, the wiper member is capable of deforming easily when the applicator element passes through it, but without that causing it to lose its capacity for wiping.

[0014] A slot defines two sectors disposed on either side thereof. Two adjacent sectors separated by a slot thus present facing faces that are spaced apart by the width of the slot. As the applicator element goes through the wiper member, it can come into contact with the facing faces, which can contribute to wiping, particularly since they are of large area. Since the outside cross-section of the split portion is greater than that of the applicator element, it enables relatively large wall thickness to be obtained at the level of the slot, thereby improving wiping.

[0015] The split portion may include at least one portion in relief projecting radially outwards, e.g. an annular bead, which projecting portion may be situated substantially at the free end of the split portion, thereby making it possible to benefit from greater wall thickness at the free end of the split portion and from further improvement in the wiping performance of the wiper member.

[0016] The above-mentioned portion in relief may be other than an annular bead.

[0017] The split portion may include, for example, at least one rib disposed at a slot, said rib possibly extending parallel to the axis of the wiper member.

[0018] The thickness of the wall of the split portion may lie for example in the range. 0.5 millimeters (mm) to 8 mm, and preferably in the range 0.8 mm to 6 mm.

[0019] The split portion may be made in particular by injecting an elastically deformable material that is flexible to semirigid, e.g. having hardness lying in the range 15 on the Shore A scale to 40 on the Shore D scale. The material may be solid, without cells.

[0020] The split portion may be made in particular out of one of the following materials: silicone elastomer, ethylene propylene diene (EPDM), nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, latex, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS), styrene butadiene styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butaliene-styrene (SEBS),

[0021] Hytrel®, Pebax®, this list not being limiting.

[0022] The split portion preferably includes at least two longitudinal slots, better at least three longitudinal slots, and more preferably more than four longitudinal slots, e.g. more than six or eight, the slots preferably being distributed regularly around the circumference of the split portion, the sectors formed between the slots then presenting the same angular extent.

[0023] The slot(s) may have edges that touch in the absence of the applicator element being engaged in the wiper member.

[0024] The length of at least one slot measured along the longitudinal axis of the wiper member may lie in the range 2 mm to 15 mm, for example.

[0025] At rest, in the absence of the applicator element, the wiper member may present axial symmetry. The outside envelope of the wiper member may, for example, be generally in the form of a body of revolution. The split portion may present an inside cross-section that is circular, oval, or polygonal, in particular it may be square or triangular. A non-circular inside cross-section may be intended, for example, for wiping an applicator member of cross-section that is likewise non-circular, e.g. of similar shape.

[0026] The inside cross-section of the split portion, in particular when it is circular, oval, or polygonal in shape, may taper over at least a certain distance on going towards the free end thereof, so as to facilitate insertion of the applicator element into the receptacle.

[0027] In particular, the split portion may present an inside surface which is generally frustoconical, in part.

[0028] The split portion may present, at least over a certain distance, an outside cross-section that tapers progressively towards the free end of the wiper member, converging towards the inside of the receptacle.

[0029] The outside surface of the wiper member may include a groove above the split portion. The groove can facilitate outward deformation of the sectors while the applicator element is passing through.

[0030] The wiper member may also have an annular bead on its outside surface above the split portion, for the purpose of snap-fastening inside the receptacle.

[0031] At least one slot of the split portion may present facing faces that are not parallel, in particular that present a cross-section that diverges radially outwards, in particular being V-shaped.

[0032] This can serve in particular to make it easier to deposit a coating of flocking on the facing faces of the slot.

[0033] In a particular embodiment, the split portion is secured to a fixing portion mounted on the receptacle, e.g. engaged in the neck thereof.

[0034] The split portion and the fixing portion may be made as a single molding of material.

[0035] In a variant, the split portion may be made as one part and the fixing portion may be made as another part, with the two parts being secured to each other.

[0036] At one end, the fixing portion may have a collar for bearing axially against the end edge of the neck of the receptacle.

[0037] The fixing portion may also include an annular skirt arranged to cover a fraction of the neck, on the outside thereof.

[0038] In a variant, the fixing portion may also constitute at least the major fraction of the neck of the receptacle and come to bear around the opening of a receptacle that has substantially no neck.

[0039] The fixing portion and the split portion may be made out of different materials. By way of example, the fixing portion may be made out of a plastics material that is more rigid than the material from which the split portion is made. Such a fixing portion may serve to obtain satisfactory sealing and fastening on the receptacle that is facilitated by the rigidity of the material from which it is made. The fixing portion may be made, for example, out of one of the following materials: polyolefins, in particular PE or polypropylene (PP); polyacetal (POM); polyamide (PA); polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0040] The material constituting the fixing portion may, in particular, be impermeable to water and to the solvent(s) present in the substance.

[0041] When the split portion and the fixing portion are not made out of the same material by molding, the split portion may be secured to the fixing portion in various ways, and in particular by mechanical assembly, by adhesive, or by heat-sealing. The split portion may also be bonded to the fixing portion by one of them being overmolded on the other.

[0042] The split portion may be constituted by a fraction of a part that covers the fixing portion, e.g. that covers its inside. Said fraction may taper towards an opening for inserting the applicator element into the wiper member.

[0043] The split portion may be made with a part having a portion for mechanical assembly to the fixing portion, e.g. by snap-fastening, said part then comprising, for example, a groove or a bead for enabling a portion in relief of complementary shape provided on the fixing portion.

[0044] The applicator element may present a variety of shapes, and in particular a cross-section that is not circular over at least a fraction of its length, e.g. a cross-section that is flat.

[0045] The applicator element may include a coating of flocking.

[0046] The substance may be a mascara. The applicator element may thus be constituted, for example, by a brush or a comb, possibly extending along an axis that is not rectilinear, being arranged to apply substance on keratinous fibers, and in particular the eyelashes, the eyebrows, or the hair. The substance may also be for application to the eyelids, e.g. being an eyeliner. The substance may also be for application to the lips.

[0047] The applicator may comprise a stem having the applicator element fixed to the end thereof. The stem may be of circular cross-section, for example, and may comprise a first fraction with a first cross-section and a second fraction with a second cross-section that is smaller than the first, said second fraction taking up position in the split portion of the wiper member when the applicator is in place on the receptacle. This makes it possible to avoid excessively deforming the split portion of the wiper member during storage. The first fraction extends between the applicator element and the second fraction.

[0048] The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view partially in axial section and partially in perspective of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;

[0050]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary side view of the wiper member of the FIG. 1 device shown on its own;

[0051]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view showing the wiper member on its own;

[0052]FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic and fragmentary views showing the applicator element of FIG. 1 passing through the wiper member;

[0053]FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic axial sections of various embodiments of the wiper member;

[0054]FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view from beneath seen looking along arrow VIII of FIG. 7;

[0055] FIGS. 9 to 14 are diagrammatic axial section views of further variant embodiments of the wiper member;

[0056]FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view from beneath seen looking along arrow XV of FIG. 14;

[0057]FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic axial section of another variant embodiment of the wiper member;

[0058] FIGS. 17 to 20 are diagrammatic views from beneath of various embodiments of the split portion of the wiper member;

[0059] FIGS. 21 to 24 are diagrammatic and fragmentary side views of variant embodiments of the wiper member;

[0060]FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic view of an applicator including an applicator element constituted by a brush;

[0061]FIG. 26 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view showing the FIG. 25 applicator element passing through a wiper member;

[0062]FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic axial section view of another packaging and applicator device of the invention;

[0063]FIGS. 28 and 29 are diagrammatic and fragmentary views in axial section of two other embodiments of a packaging and applicator device of the invention;

[0064]FIG. 30 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic view seen looking along arrow XXX of FIG. 2, showing a variant embodiment; and

[0065]FIG. 31 is a fragmentary elevation view of another embodiment of a wiper member.

[0066] The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a receptacle 2 surmounted by a neck 8 of axis X, open at its top end and suitable for containing a cosmetic P, such as gloss for the lips, for example.

[0067] A wiper member 3 made of an elastically deformable material, e.g. a thermoplastic elastomer, is fitted on the receptacle 2 and is secured thereto, e.g. by being engaged with friction in the neck 8. Naturally, the wiper member 3 could be secured to the receptacle 2 in some other way, e.g. by adhesive, heat-sealing, or snap-fastening, or by means of an additional holder part.

[0068] The device 1 further includes an applicator 4 which, in the example shown, comprises a closure cap 5 having a stem 6 secured thereto, the free end of the stem presenting an applicator element 7 which may be of any kind.

[0069] In the example described, the wiper member 3 is of cross-section that is smaller than a cross-section of the applicator element 7.

[0070] The cap 5 includes an inside thread that is not visible in FIG. 1 and that serves to co-operate with an outside thread 9 on the neck 8 in order to close the receptacle 2. The cap 5 could be secured to the neck 8 other than by screw fastening, for example by snap-fastening.

[0071] In the example described, the wiper member 3 comprises a generally tubular body 10 of longitudinal axis coinciding with the axis X of the neck 8, and extended at its top end by a collar 11 that rests against the top end of the neck 8.

[0072] The collar 11 contributes to obtaining leaktight closure of the receptacle 2, the cap 5 having a surface that presses against said collar 11 when the cap is screwed home.

[0073] At its bottom end, the wiper member 3 comprises a split annular portion 12 which is provided at its end with a bead 13 that projects radially from its outside surface.

[0074] In the example shown, the split portion 12 includes a plurality of longitudinal slots 14 extending parallel to the axis X to the free end 3 a of the wiper member 3, these slots 14 being eight in number, for example. Still in the example described, the outside cross-section of the wiper member is circular, as is its inside cross-section. The inside diameter of the wiper member 3 in its narrowest portion as defined by the split portion 12 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the stem 6.

[0075] When the applicator device 1 is closed, as shown in FIG. 1, the split portion 12 of the wiper member 3 bears against the stem 6 of the applicator 4 without significant deformation of the split portion 12.

[0076] Between them, the slots 14 define sectors 15 capable of splaying apart when the applicator element 7 passes through.

[0077] In the example shown, the slots 14 are distributed in regular manner around the split portion 12, and the sectors 15 are all of the same angular extent.

[0078] Nevertheless, it would not go beyond the ambit of the present invention for the slots 14 to be separated in irregular manner around the split portion 12.

[0079] In the example described, the applicator element 7 is covered in a coating of flocking and it is generally flat in shape. Its cross-section is non-circular, being oblong in shape with a major dimension that is greater than the diameter of the stem 3, for example at least 1.5 times said diameter or even at least twice said diameter.

[0080]FIGS. 4 and 5 show the applicator element 7 going through the split portion 12. The sectors 15 bend so as to allow the split portion 12 to fit closely around the shape of the applicator element 7 as it passes through, thereby ensuring that it is wiped effectively.

[0081] The applicator element 7 may also be wiped in part by the facing faces 14 a and 14 b of at least one slot 14, in particular in the vicinity of the bead 13, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0082] The faces 14 a and 14 b are best placed for contributing to wiping when they are capable of coming into contact with the applicator element 7. Where appropriate, substance may be retained between them by capillarity. The relatively great thickness of the wall of the split portion 12, in particular in the vicinity of the bead 13, enables faces 14 a and 14 b to be obtained that are of relatively large area, and thus suitable for contributing to wiping the applicator element 7 and picking up substance P by capillarity.

[0083] Given the elasticity of the wiper member 3, once the applicator element 7 has passed through the split portion 12, the slots 14 close, with the sectors 15 again being substantially in contact with one another.

[0084] The wiper member 3 may present a split portion 12 that does not have a bead 13, while still conserving a wall that is relatively thick, e.g. being in the form of a truncated cone whose outside cross-section tapers towards the inside of the receptacle. One such wiper member 3 is shown in FIG. 6.

[0085] The outside cross-section of the wiper member 3 may also be increased by the presence of axial ribs 19 on the outside portions of the sectors 15, said ribs extending the faces 14 a and 14 b of the slots 14, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0086] The wiper member 3 may be made as a single part, as described above, or as two parts that are assembled together.

[0087] This applies in particular for the wiper members 3 shown in FIGS. 7 to 14, each of which comprises a fixing portion 17 made out of a material that is relatively rigid such as a polyolefin, and a part that is fixed to the fixing portion 17 and that includes the split portion 12, said part being made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the fixing portion 17, e.g. a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0088] The fixing portion 17 and the part including the split portion 12 may be fastened together in various ways, in particular they may be fastened by adhesive, by heat-sealing, by snap-fastening, or by being assembled together via an additional part. The part including the split portion 12 may engage, for example, around the fixing portion 17 as shown in FIG. 9, or inside the fixing portion 17 as shown in FIG. 10, or astride the fixing portion 17 as shown in FIG. 11.

[0089] In FIG. 12, the fixing portion 17 and the part that includes the split portion 12 are held together mechanically by snap-fastening, the fixing portion 17 having a bead 20 and the part including the split portion 12 presenting a groove 21 for receiving the bead 20.

[0090] The fixing portion 17 and the split portion 12 may also be secured to each other by overmolding, the part including the split portion 12 being made by dual injection onto the fixing portion 17, as shown in FIG. 13, for example. In this example, the part including the split portion 12 covers the inside of the fixing portion 17.

[0091] The split portion 12 of the wiper member 3 may include ribs 22 disposed substantially in the middles of the outside portions of the sectors 15, thus making it possible to obtain greater stiffness for the split portion 12, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 16, the part including the split portion 12 may be provided with an outer annular skirt 29 extending around the split portion 12, the outer skirt 29 serving in particular to retain the substance.

[0093] The inside cross-section of the split portion 12 may be circular and of diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the stem 6, or it may be of diameter smaller than that of the stem 6, as shown in FIG. 17 so as to be adapted, for example, to wiping and applicator element having a tapering portion. The inside cross-section of the split portion 12 need not be circular, for example it may be star-shaped as shown in FIG. 18 so as to perform partial and selective wiping of the applicator element, for example.

[0094] The number of slots 14 may vary. By way of example, FIG. 18 shows a wiper member having five slots 14, while FIG. 19 shows four slots and FIG. 20 shows six slots.

[0095] When the wiper member 3 has a portion of frustoconical shape, of cross-section that tapers progressively downwards, the slots 14 may extend over a fraction only of the frustoconical portion, as shown in FIG. 6. The slots 14 may also extend beyond the frustoconical portion, as shown in FIG. 21, or they may extend only over the frustoconical portion, as shown in FIG. 22.

[0096] The split portion 12 may be generally tubular in shape, as shown in FIG. 23.

[0097] The wiper member 3 may have an outside section that narrows at one location, e.g. to form a groove 25 as shown in FIG. 24, e.g. for the purpose of enabling the sectors 15 to move away more easily while the applicator element 7 is passing through.

[0098]FIG. 25 shows another embodiment of an applicator 4, in which the applicator element 7 is constituted by a brush, which brush may be slightly curved.

[0099]FIG. 26 shows the brush 7 passing through the wiper member 3.

[0100]FIG. 27 shows another packaging and applicator device for applying eyeliner. The stem 6 of the applicator 4 has a narrowed portion 6 a of cross-section smaller than the inside cross-section of the split portion 12 so as to prevent the sectors 15 from deforming while at rest and so as to make it easier to allow the pressure induced inside the receptacle 2 on insertion of the applicator 4 into the receptacle to escape.

[0101] In FIG. 28, the fixing portion 17 of the wiper member 3 has an annular skirt 35 that covers a lip 36 made at the top end of the neck 8. This improves retention of the wiper member 3.

[0102] In FIG. 29, the wiper member 3 is made with a neck onto which it is possible to screw a closure cap 5, for example.

[0103] In the example of FIG. 2, each slot 14 presents facing faces 14 a and 14 b which are essentially parallel and which touch one another at rest.

[0104] Naturally, it is possible to provide slots 14 differently, and in particular to provide slots with facing faces 14 a and 14 b that are not parallel at rest, for example that diverge radially outwards, as shown in FIG. 30.

[0105] In this figure, there can be seen at least one slot 14 of the split portion 12 that presents width that increases going outwards. This can make it possible, for example, to cover the faces 14 a and 14 b more easily in a coating of flocking 40, which can further improve the performance of the wiper member.

[0106]FIG. 31 shows the possibility of making the wiper member with an annular bead 42 that projects from its outside surface, for the purpose of snap-fastening in a corresponding groove of the receptacle, in particular a groove made in the neck of the receptacle.

[0107] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0108] The applicator element may have any rounded, elongate, or angled shape. The applicator element may be constituted, for example, by a rectilinear brush, an optionally flocked foam applicator, a comb, or a paintbrush.

[0109] The applicator element may have a greatest cross-section that is smaller than or equal to the greatest diameter of the stem.

[0110] Throughout the description, including in the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with the term “comprising at least one”, unless specified to the contrary. 

1. A device (1) for packaging and applying a substance (P), in particular a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising: a receptacle (2) for containing the substance (P); an applicator (4) including an applicator element (7); and a wiper member (3) for wiping the applicator element (7), the device being characterized by the fact that the wiper member (3) includes a longitudinally split annular portion (12) having a wall including at least one slot (14) extending to a free end (3 a) of the wiper member (3), the slot passing through the entire thickness of said wall, said split portion (12) presenting, in a plane where its inside cross-section is at a minimum, an outside cross-section that is greater than the greatest cross-section of the applicator element (7), the split portion (12) deforming radially outwards when the applicator element passes through.
 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) of the wiper member (3) includes at least one portion in relief projecting radially outwards, in particular a bead (13) or at least one rib (19) placed level with a slot (14).
 3. A device according to either preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the thickness of the wall of the split portion (12) lies in the range 0.5 mm to 8 mm, preferably in the range 0.8 mm to 6 mm.
 4. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is made of an elastically deformable material of hardness lying in the range 15 on the Shore A scale to 40 on the Shore D scale.
 5. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is made out of one of the following materials: silicone elastomer; EPDM; nitrile rubber; butyle rubber; latex; thermoplastic elastomer; PU; PE; PVC; EVA; SIS; SBS; SEBS; Hytrel®, Pebax®.
 6. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) includes at least two longitudinal slots (14), or at least three longitudinal slots, in particular more than four longitudinal slots, better more than six or eight longitudinal slots.
 7. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) includes slots (14) that are regularly distributed around the circumference of the split portion (12).
 8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) includes at least one slot (14) of length measured along the longitudinal axis of the wiper member (3) that lies in the range 2 mm to 15 mm.
 9. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper member (3) at rest and in the absence of an applicator element (7) presents axial symmetry, and in particular an outside envelope that is generally in the form of a body of revolution.
 10. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) presents an inside cross-section that is circular, oval, or polygonal, in particular square or triangular.
 11. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least over a certain distance, the inside cross-section of the split portion (12) tapers on approaching the free end (3 a) of the split portion.
 12. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is secured to a fixing portion (17) mounted on the receptacle (2), and in particular engaged in a neck (8) of the receptacle (2).
 13. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the fixing portion (17) has a collar (11) at one end for bearing axially against the end edge of the neck (8) of the receptacle (2).
 14. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion and the fixing portion are made as a single piece by molding material.
 15. A device according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the split portion is made as one part, and the fixing portion constitutes another part, with the two parts being secured to each other.
 16. A device according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the two parts are made of different materials.
 17. A device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by the fact that the fixing portion (17) is made of one of the following materials: polyolefins, in particular PE or PP; POM; PA; PET.
 18. A device according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the two parts are assembled together by one of the following techniques: mechanical assembly; adhesive; heat-sealing; overmolding.
 19. A device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is constituted by a fraction of a part that covers the fixing portion (17).
 20. A device according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is made in a part which includes a fixing portion arranged to be mechanically assembled with the fixing portion (17) by snap-fastening.
 21. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper member includes an annular bead above the split portion for snap-fastening inside the receptacle.
 22. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least one slot presents a cross-section that diverges radially outwards, and in particular is V-shaped.
 23. A device according to claim 22, characterized by the fact that the slot presents facing faces (14 a, 14 b) that are flocked.
 24. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper member includes a groove (25) in its outside surface above the split portion (12).
 25. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the cross-section of the applicator element (7) is not circular over at least a fraction of its length.
 26. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator element (7) includes a coating of flocking.
 27. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator element (7) is constituted by one of a brush and a comb, the applicator element (7) being arranged to apply a substance to the eyelashes or the eyebrows.
 28. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the substance is for application to keratinous fibers or is for application to the lips or to the eyelids.
 29. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator (4) comprises a stem (6) having the applicator element (7) fastened to the end thereof.
 30. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the stem (6) comprises a first portion with a first cross-section and a second portion (6 a) with the second cross-section smaller than the first, said second portion being positioned in the split portion (12) of the wiper member when the applicator (4) is in place on the receptacle (2). 